Wn156 Réthoville,
K.V.U.Gruppe Barfleur,
K.V.Gr. Cotentin Ost, KVR J1, Normandy.

Wn156 Réthoville

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Peilstand Ost
Wn156 Réthoville is a church tower used as Peilstand Ost for Battery Hamburg-West. Its true title StP234 Batterie Hamburg Marine Kusten Artillerie.
" The -West is because there was a Batterie Hamburg in I believe Germany and that was Batterie Hamburg-Ost".

Wn156 Réthoville

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Wn156 Réthoville

Details

Peilstand Ost
Église Saint Martin Réthoville.

Wn156 Réthoville

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Peilstand Ost
La tour de l'église servit aux Allemands pendant la guerre 39-45 d'observatoire d'artillery. La dentelle en granit de la balustrade fut alors noyée dans du béton. Tel est l'aspect qu'elle conserve aujourd'hui.

The church tower served as an artillery observation post for the Germans during the Second World War. The granite lace work of the balustrade was then encased in concrete. This is how it appears today.

Wn156 Réthoville

Details

Peilstand Ost
History:
In the 12th century, the Beaumont family endowed Montebourg Abbey with tithes and the patronage of the church.
Located on a granite hill, the building is easily recognizable from afar by its square bell tower topped with a balustrades platform. In 1943, the occupying army used it as an observation post and encased the balustrade in concrete.
Charles de Gerville toured the church in 1818. He wrote about it: "Small church, completely rebuilt, except for a small, insignificant Gothic window to the north of the chancel." Nothing is remarkable about it.
In 1944, the balusters crowning the top of the tower (which had suffered damage during the Liberation battles) were encased in cement.

Charles de Gerville.
Early French archaeologist and architectural historian; coiner of the concept “Romanesque” for art. Gerville was born to a noble family in Normandy. He attended the college of Coutances, and then Caen where he studied law.

Charles de Gerville.

Wn156 Réthoville

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Peilstand Ost
The concrete built in B. Stellen covers the ornate balustrade. Used as a Peilstand for Batterie Hamburg.

Wn156 Réthoville

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Peilstand Ost
A plan of the German defences in the K.V.U-Gr. Barfleur area..

Wn156 Réthoville

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Peilstand Ost
Plan of the Peilstand and the Hauptleitstand of Batterie Hamburg. Wn156 Réthoville is Peilstand Ost (East).

Peilstand - Bearing of measuring post.
Hauptleitstand - Main Control Room.

Batterie Hamburg had a Hauptleitstand at Wn233 Tot de haut, Fermanville.

Wn233 Tot de haut, Fermanville the Hauptleitstand.

Wn241.

Wn233.

Wn156.

Wn156 Réthoville

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